#verse!DevilsWard

[wanderingarcherviola]

"Hippity hop from rock to rock, don't fall off the stones or I'll break more than bone." The girl sang as she hopped from rock to rock, making her way across the rushing river seemingly without a care for the danger racing past "If I fall I'm dead, oh such dread." Slipping slightly a she hopped to another stone Viola regained her balance and laughed.

Out of the corner of her eye she spotted some bewildered stranger watching from the shore "Hay, be careful!" She yelled "This water'll kill ya if you fall in!"

@halfdeadsacrifice

[wanderingarcherviola]

Though her Master could be demanding at times he wouldn't send her into danger unprepared and unawares "Pretty complicated, yeah." she agreed "But we can protect each other, teamwork and all that."

Viola had no intention of fussing and getting overprotective over Vayu, he was a grown man (she assumed), and wouldn't have lived so long if he was helpless and weak.

An ally was an ally, and she wouldn't squander it in a place like this.

"Dehydrated and crushed celestial wings.. It's like blowing pure radiant power at the undead, or anything evil." It was just one of the tricks Viola kept in her bag, her Master had plenty to spare and could spare a small bag for her safety "That one lived, Master was merciful to it."

She could hardly press him further, he'd already set her mind at ease that he wasn't some run-of-the-mill psycho, or someone with more nefarious intent.

"Don't worry, if we come across any undead up and about, I'll protect you." If his dealings with them were pleasant or not was his own business, but as long as Vayu was with her she'd try to keep him safe.

Unlike her absent cousin, Viola wasn't too versed in how to handle the undead. Her talents were more towards beasts of all sorts, preferably the not undead ones.

Once more she reached deep into her little bag of holding and pulled out a small pouch of coarse powder"Here, for future dealings with the undead."

[wanderingarcherviola]

She could hardly press him further, he'd already set her mind at ease that he wasn't some run-of-the-mill psycho, or someone with more nefarious intent.

"Don't worry, if we come across any undead up and about, I'll protect you." If his dealings with them were pleasant or not was his own business, but as long as Vayu was with her she'd try to keep him safe.

Unlike her absent cousin, Viola wasn't too versed in how to handle the undead. Her talents were more towards beasts of all sorts, preferably the not undead ones.

Once more she reached deep into her little bag of holding and pulled out a small pouch of coarse powder"Here, for future dealings with the undead."

Her eyes narrowed. Vayus' secrets were his own, and she wouldn't force them out of the poor man, but she was curious "You're not as good a liar as you think." Spending long enough around Devils had given her decent insight into people.

It didn't bother her too much if he lied, everyone had skeletons in the closet, some had entire graveyards. As long as Vayu didn't plan on adding her to the closet all was well.. more or less.

"Everyone is somewhere for a reason. I'm here because I have a list to complete, and no ranger has ever tailed me as much as you have" No ranger had bothered to tail the strange child beyond getting her out of their territory.

[wanderingarcherviola]

There were varying levels of worry when it came to Viola. First, a child wandering into dungeons to procure dangerous ingredients. Second, she was in the custody of a Devil. If the first two things didn't cause hysterics the third usually did.

Maybe he could be trusted with the truth, even if he ended up being judgmental, he wouldn't cause her harm.

Standing up she dusted herself off, looking further down the dark hallway she turned back towards their little camp "I gave you the map because I didn't need it anymore. I could feel this place drawing me in." Where would she even begin to explain? At the very least, Vayu must've caught on that she wasn't a simple half-orc.

"We should have more food and set up bedrolls. I've got some fresh meats we can cook up, and I think some alcohol, you may need it."

Viola couldn't describe the feeling, barely understanding what it was herself, but that sense of familiarty warmed her. Perhaps it was knowing her 'cousin' walked these halls before her, that his deeds made this place safer for her to be in.

"It's- something strange.." She began, uncertainty on her face "Not like how I feel drawn to this spot.. I dont-" Could Vayu be trusted with the truth? The door was sealed behind them, and he may not like what she said.

He probably had a few skeletons in the closet too, things better left unsaid, knowledge that would endanger him if shared with the wrong person. Running her hand along the crack Viola looked up at him "I dont think you'd like the truth very much, especially since we're locked in."

[wanderingarcherviola]

Viola couldn't describe the feeling, barely understanding what it was herself, but that sense of familiarty warmed her. Perhaps it was knowing her 'cousin' walked these halls before her, that his deeds made this place safer for her to be in.

"It's- something strange.." She began, uncertainty on her face "Not like how I feel drawn to this spot.. I dont-" Could Vayu be trusted with the truth? The door was sealed behind them, and he may not like what she said.

He probably had a few skeletons in the closet too, things better left unsaid, knowledge that would endanger him if shared with the wrong person. Running her hand along the crack Viola looked up at him "I dont think you'd like the truth very much, especially since we're locked in."

She didn't go far into the darkness, maybe a hundred feet down the corridor before she reached an old abandoned camp site. Some bedrolls were still laying near what was once a campfire.

Stopping for a moment she shook her head "I can- feel something.. Close by." Continuing on just a little, Viola came across a strange site.

A large crack in the smooth stone walls, as if something was slammed into it with great force. From the cracks grew a soft, vibrant green moss, and Viola smiled fondly "Did you know, when your life is threatened, you're more likely to awaken certain powers?" She gestured to the moss "This is where Lich-Slayer Tobis started to awaken."

[wanderingarcherviola]

She didn't go far into the darkness, maybe a hundred feet down the corridor before she reached an old abandoned camp site. Some bedrolls were still laying near what was once a campfire.

Stopping for a moment she shook her head "I can- feel something.. Close by." Continuing on just a little, Viola came across a strange site.

A large crack in the smooth stone walls, as if something was slammed into it with great force. From the cracks grew a soft, vibrant green moss, and Viola smiled fondly "Did you know, when your life is threatened, you're more likely to awaken certain powers?" She gestured to the moss "This is where Lich-Slayer Tobis started to awaken."

In a sense, she did. Hearing the story over and over, reading of the Lich and his evil plans, studying maps of the surrounding area. It felt like she did know this place.

But some other part of it, something deeper, felt a sense of familiarity, and it hadn't fully dawned on her until Vayu brought it up.

It gave her pause for a moment, remaining still she looked at him and tilted her head as her eyes reflected the light of the fire. Eerie and silent, she picked up a stick and lit it before walking into the darkness.

[wanderingarcherviola]

In a sense, she did. Hearing the story over and over, reading of the Lich and his evil plans, studying maps of the surrounding area. It felt like she did know this place.

But some other part of it, something deeper, felt a sense of familiarity, and it hadn't fully dawned on her until Vayu brought it up.

It gave her pause for a moment, remaining still she looked at him and tilted her head as her eyes reflected the light of the fire. Eerie and silent, she picked up a stick and lit it before walking into the darkness.

Calling him by his heroic title was strange. She'd only ever known him as Tobi, her cousin (in a sense), her kin. Coming to this place was like stepping directly into his shadow, walking into his past and seeing the heroics from a safe distance.

"Yeah.. Rumors for a while said he died down there, took his own life after his lover was slain by said Lich." The rumors following his disappearance were nothing short of depressive and bothersome. Everyone had a theory, despite him being alive and well elsewhere.

The Lich Slayer himself had made the choice to leave her in Nessus, given he'd been in bed with the Devil she was left with, that had swayed his choice to keep her "He's slain many Liches, most of which were only thought to be in legends, became a personal grudge after this place."

[wanderingarcherviola]

Taking another look around Viola followed inside, touching the door as she passed, causing it to close behind them without a single sound. Once again she took the necklace and held it in her bloody hand, this time whispering something in Infernal.

The door began to glow an eerie red again, growing in intensity as Viola fed the gem more blood. She swayed a little as she allowed it to take more, only letting go once the soft red illuminated a good twenty feet inside the lair.

Stumbling back she fell into the ground and panted "Whoa, the Master made a good one this time." Laughing she smiled at Vayu and pointed to the sealed door "We should be safe to make camp around here. I'll set up some Wards in a while."

If the situation called for it Viola couldn't ask for any spell she knew the name of. Nothing was beyond her Masters ability in terms of spells.

"Maybe. We'll see what happens down there." Viola was certain she'd need to use it again, from the stories she heard the place sounded like it was crumbling to bits, no doubt it'd gotten worse.

Touching the door, it slid open easily, the divine magic was gone but whatever the Lich did when creating it, it needed nothing more than a touch to open.

"C'mon, we can make camp inside."

[wanderingarcherviola]

It wasn't every day one saw a small child use Infernal jewellery so casually, Viola was well aware how worrying and gruesome it must seem to others.

Silently taking the gauze she didn't look at him "Umh.. Thanks. Healing isn't included after I- ask- for a spell." She mumbled, letting go of the jewel as it absorbed the last drops of blood staining it.

"I'll take care of it once we're inside, we need to lock this thing behind us. Who knows what kinda weirdo might follow us in."

Her Master afforded her a few privileges for her own safety, anything outside of that required her to offer something.

Pulling the knife from her belt she made a small cut on the palm of her hand and embraced the jewel, an offering of blood in exchange for a spell "Celestial magic locks this door. I offer my blood freely, now please, Dispel its Magic." Viola spoke aloud to the necklace as whispers began floating through the air.

Viola groaned and shook her head as the jewel sucked blood from her wound to fulfil her request.

The whispers slowly grew louder, and the door began to glow an eerie red. After a few seconds, it stopped entirely and the glow faded away "There, no pesky God is stopping me from getting in here."

[wanderingarcherviola]

Her Master afforded her a few privileges for her own safety, anything outside of that required her to offer something.

Pulling the knife from her belt she made a small cut on the palm of her hand and embraced the jewel, an offering of blood in exchange for a spell "Celestial magic locks this door. I offer my blood freely, now please, Dispel its Magic." Viola spoke aloud to the necklace as whispers began floating through the air.

Viola groaned and shook her head as the jewel sucked blood from her wound to fulfil her request.

The whispers slowly grew louder, and the door began to glow an eerie red. After a few seconds, it stopped entirely and the glow faded away "There, no pesky God is stopping me from getting in here."

It was always so much easier alone, there were no questions, or concerns, or witnesses to how she got the job done.. No worrying do-gooder who'd have a conniption at the truth.

Side-eyeing him for a moment Viola knew it would come out eventually, if not now then when she brought him to collect his payment "You better get real cool with some weird shit. I'm not in the mood for pearl-clutching." The girl warned.

Pulling at the chain around her neck out from beneath her shirt came a concerning piece of jewelery. The long, thin chain held an emblem of a grinning Cambian devil embracing a ruby set into its chest "Needing help with a damn door, this is so humiliating, I'll never hear the end of it."

[wanderingarcherviola]

It was always so much easier alone, there were no questions, or concerns, or witnesses to how she got the job done.. No worrying do-gooder who'd have a conniption at the truth.

Side-eyeing him for a moment Viola knew it would come out eventually, if not now then when she brought him to collect his payment "You better get real cool with some weird shit. I'm not in the mood for pearl-clutching." The girl warned.

Pulling at the chain around her neck out from beneath her shirt came a concerning piece of jewelery. The long, thin chain held an emblem of a grinning Cambian devil embracing a ruby set into its chest "Needing help with a damn door, this is so humiliating, I'll never hear the end of it."

Viola knew she'd been told half the story on this place, given only what she needed to complete the tasks and nothing more. Now she was piecing it together for herself.

Taking a deep breath she stepped back, losing her composure wouldn't get them inside any faster, nor would it give Vayu any answers "No, the lich is dead, but the Lich Slayer found his own way out.. This thing has a faint magical signature, the others sealed it. Fuckin clerics!" Gesturing to the door she sat down on a chunk of rock a few feet away

This wouldn't be an issue if she was alone, but she wasn't, and she had no clue how Vayu would react to the truth "Can you- not watch while I open it?"

[wanderingarcherviola]

Viola knew she'd been told half the story on this place, given only what she needed to complete the tasks and nothing more. Now she was piecing it together for herself.

Taking a deep breath she stepped back, losing her composure wouldn't get them inside any faster, nor would it give Vayu any answers "No, the lich is dead, but the Lich Slayer found his own way out.. This thing has a faint magical signature, the others sealed it. Fuckin clerics!" Gesturing to the door she sat down on a chunk of rock a few feet away

This wouldn't be an issue if she was alone, but she wasn't, and she had no clue how Vayu would react to the truth "Can you- not watch while I open it?"

Vaulting over rocks and debris it was apparent she knew more about this place than she let on. Viola knew where to go within these ruins, no kicking about looking for the entrance she was bolting towards it with purpose.

Where they needed to go wasn't far into the ruins, and it was one of the most intact buildings left in the miserable place. If more were left standing one would easily mistake it for just another shop or simple house.

Stone doors sealed the only entrance, and didn't budge as she knocked on it and proceeded to kick at it "Oh fucking hell!" She cried out "They locked the door when they left, inconsiderate bastards! What if he came back and wanted to leave!"

[wanderingarcherviola]

Vaulting over rocks and debris it was apparent she knew more about this place than she let on. Viola knew where to go within these ruins, no kicking about looking for the entrance she was bolting towards it with purpose.

Where they needed to go wasn't far into the ruins, and it was one of the most intact buildings left in the miserable place. If more were left standing one would easily mistake it for just another shop or simple house.

Stone doors sealed the only entrance, and didn't budge as she knocked on it and proceeded to kick at it "Oh fucking hell!" She cried out "They locked the door when they left, inconsiderate bastards! What if he came back and wanted to leave!"

It was a straight shot to where they needed to go, granted nothing threw them too off course they'd still arrive in time to set up camp and have a good meal before resting. The sooner she got what was needed the sooner she could go home.

Walking ahead of Vayu for most of the journey she veered off occasionally to pick up a flower or a rock and plop it into her bag.

After a few hours they came upon some ruins, crumbling buildings and barely standing pillars of what used to be a thriving settlement "Well, no prizes for guessing if we're close! The liches lair awaits." She called before dashing off

[wanderingarcherviola]

It was a straight shot to where they needed to go, granted nothing threw them too off course they'd still arrive in time to set up camp and have a good meal before resting. The sooner she got what was needed the sooner she could go home.

Walking ahead of Vayu for most of the journey she veered off occasionally to pick up a flower or a rock and plop it into her bag.

After a few hours they came upon some ruins, crumbling buildings and barely standing pillars of what used to be a thriving settlement "Well, no prizes for guessing if we're close! The liches lair awaits." She called before dashing off

Her eyes flicked to him and then map and then to her bag "Maybe, I know not all the heros who killed the Lich walked out again." She shifted uncomfortably. Viola knew a fair bit about where she was headed, a detail she wasn't too willing to share with Vayu just yet.

Rolling the map up she handed ot to Vayu, if he was insisted on coming along she'd happily make use of a companion.

Sitting around wasn't going to get them there, nor would it see her mission complete "We're burning daylight, if we haul ass we can get there by sundown."

[wanderingarcherviola]

Her eyes flicked to him and then map and then to her bag "Maybe, I know not all the heros who killed the Lich walked out again." She shifted uncomfortably. Viola knew a fair bit about where she was headed, a detail she wasn't too willing to share with Vayu just yet.

Rolling the map up she handed ot to Vayu, if he was insisted on coming along she'd happily make use of a companion.

Sitting around wasn't going to get them there, nor would it see her mission complete "We're burning daylight, if we haul ass we can get there by sundown."

Viola wasn't entirely trusting of Vayu. There were only so many people who'd take interest in a girl running errands, and at the very least, she hoped he was just some soft hearted do-gooder.

Keeping her judgement in reserve Viola leaned over and pointed exactly where they were going "Apparently he was killed in the lower chambers, so we gotta go five floors down." A map of the interior had also been given to her but she'd keep that hidden for now.

A look of sadness crossed her face as her finger traced over the mark on the map "Nothin but misery and grief left down there now."

[wanderingarcherviola]

Viola wasn't entirely trusting of Vayu. There were only so many people who'd take interest in a girl running errands, and at the very least, she hoped he was just some soft hearted do-gooder.

Keeping her judgement in reserve Viola leaned over and pointed exactly where they were going "Apparently he was killed in the lower chambers, so we gotta go five floors down." A map of the interior had also been given to her but she'd keep that hidden for now.

A look of sadness crossed her face as her finger traced over the mark on the map "Nothin but misery and grief left down there now."

It was convenient beyond belief! It meant she wouldn't have to barter or trade with some weird collector for Lich bones.

Plopping down onto a log, she shoved her entire arm down into her small bag and pulled out a map "Pleasure to meet ya, Vayu, I'm Viola." Patting the log she gestured for him to come and sit.

"So, if we keep heading West, it should only take a few hours to get there. We can camp inside the entrance and rest up before heading in." Viola already had a plan laid out in her head, even with Vayu for company, it would remain the same.

Her map was a fairly standard one of the area. Cities, towns, villages, roads, and rivers were all marked, and in the middle of a forest stood an X with what looked like Infernal writing next to it.